Mattapoisett family taking part in Making Strides breast cancer walk

Sunday

Sep 8, 2013 at 2:17 PM

MATTAPOISETT — Town residents Gail Shovlin, husband Tom and daughter Sophie were among those on hand recently at the kickoff breakfast for the 21st annual American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraiser.

MATTAPOISETT — Town residents Gail Shovlin, husband Tom and daughter Sophie were among those on hand recently at the kickoff breakfast for the 21st annual American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraiser.

The event was held at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel and emcees were Candy O'Terry of MAGIC 106.7 and Christa Delcamp of 7News on 7NBC and CW56, according to a news release from the Cancer Society.

Gail, Tom, and Sophie will be among an estimated 40,000 people participating in the Oct. 6 Making Strides walk at the DCR Hatch Shell in Boston.

"The special event will unite the community to honor and celebrate breast cancer survivors, educate about the importance of prevention and early detection, and raise funds to support groundbreaking research to find, prevent, treat, and cure breast cancer," the release said.

The fundraising effort is also aimed at ensuring access to mammograms for women who need them; and providing free resources and support to newly diagnosed women who turn to the American Cancer Society for help and support, the release said.

At the breakfast, Gail Shovlin shared the story of her personal breast cancer journey and also her role as a successful Making Strides team leader. "Gail, Tom, Sophie and many other friends and family comprise their team for Making Strides in Boston, a five-mile fundraising walk that helps the society do the most for people with breast cancer today to end the disease tomorrow," the release said.

For more information, call 1-800-227-2345, email strides_boston@cancer.org, or visit MakingStridesWalk.org/bostonma.